Artificial turf is a better choice for the environment when it comes to water use and conservation, particularly if you live in a dry climate or somewhere that needs to conserve water. If you have artificial turf, you don’t need:

Fertilizer and water

Gas-powered lawnmowers or string trimmers

Real lawns use upwards of 20,000 or more gallons of water a year. The carbon sequestration abilities of real grass are probably negated by the mowing and fertilizers used to maintain it. Fertilizers not only pollute waterways, but require a lot of energy to produce.

A study by Sweden’s Stockholm University found that an hour’s worth of mowing resulted in about the same amount of emissions as driving a car 93 miles.

Knowing this, it is important to consider your lawn care habits and the climate of your area. If you tend to mow your lawn frequently, use fertilizer, water it daily, and think water conservation is important in your region, then perhaps artificial grass is right for your situation. It’s probably not only good for the climate, but it’s an investment that will start saving you money in reduced maintenance and water costs.